(a) whether Barmer and Jaisalmer districts in Rajasthan which have high tourism potential
are restricted for tourists;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether there is any proposal to lift the ban/restrictions in these areas; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) & (b): Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas ) Order, 1958, all areas falling between the ‘Inner line’
as defined in the said Order and the international border of the State have been declared as a Protected
Area for security reasons. In Rajasthan, the Protected Area generally falls in the belt of 40 km inside
from the international border on the western side of National Highway no.15. However, with a view to
promote tourism, some areas notified by the Government from time to time can be visited by foreign
tourists, either in groups or as a couple in the case of a husband and wife or by individuals, after
obtaining the necessary permit from the competent authority.
(c) & (d): Government issued orders in Febraury 2010 excluding certain areas in the Barmer and Jaisalmer
Districts of Rajasthan from the Protected Area Permit Regime. This includes the high tourism potential
areas Kiradu and Juna Patrasar (Jain temples) in District Barmer and Laxmanon-ki-basti & Turkon-ki-basti
(sand dunes), Sudasari and Hadda-Deva-Mohangarh in District Jaisalmer.